Julianna Bauknecht recognized nationally for animal welfare non-profit program

Julianna Bauknecht, a sixth-grade student at All Saints Catholic School, has been named a 2017 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards State Honoree for her dedicated and selfless work with her non-profit animal welfare organization Caring Paws.

Bauknecht has raised nearly $15,000 for animal shelters throughout Wisconsin with the Caring Paws program she created at age 10. After growing up with a sense of dedication and caring towards injured or abused animals, Bauknecht has used that passion to help raise funds for organizations such as the Humane Societies of Langlade and Oneida counties.

The nomination through the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program saw Bauknecht chosen as one of two finalists from Wisconsin to represent their state in Washington, D.C. in early May. Along with the other 101 State Honorees, Bauknecht will be recognized at numerous events in our nation’s capital throughout her trip, along with receiving $1,000 and consideration for one of ten national awards.

Bauknecht began her philanthropy at age five with a rummage sale that raised nearly $1,000. As she got older, Bauknecht eventually elevated her fundraisers to raffles, online auctions, and contacting area business for support.

“I just really like helping animals,” Bauknecht said after being nominated for the Prudential Award by All Saints School, “because it’s true, the saying about a dog being a human’s best friend.”

Bauknecht’s most recent efforts will include a donation to the Oneida County Humane Society this Thursday after learning of a recent dog rescue effort in Northern Wisconsin. With 39 neglected dogs recently being taken in at the Rhinelander-based shelter, Bauknecht is planning to match up to $3,000 in donations for the Oneida County Humane Society.

Monetary donations may be made to:

Caring Paws

P.O. Box 577

Antigo,WI 54409

In addition to financial donations, Bauknecht is also asking for pet supplies for the recently rescued dogs. Any dog food, treats, bones, blankets, bleach, etc., can be dropped off at Verne’s Honda on the north side of Antigo. Bauknecht will deliver all of the donations to Humane Society’s shelter in Rhinelander this Thursday.

The donation marks the second such philanthropic act by Bauknecht in the past month, where she also matched money raised by her classmates at All Saints Catholic School for the Langlade County Humane Society in late January.

Caring Paws invites you to like them on Facebook for more information.